9 Awesome Things to do in Grand Forks North Dakota
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One of the best towns for a weekend getaway in North Dakota is Grand Forks. Located under 5 hours from both Minneapolis and Duluth Minnesota and just over one hour from Fargo, it’s definitely doable as a roadtrip. We flew from MSP to GFK which helped cut down drive time with our toddler and loved that the airport was less than 15 minutes from our centrally located hotel! There are so many awesome things to do in Grand Forks in just one weekend. Perfect for couples, families or friends, Grand Forks is a great getaway option. Check out our nine favorite things to do below!
Where to Stay: The Olive Ann
We loved staying at the brand new luxury boutique hotel The Olive Ann which opened in December 2023. The rooms are gorgeous with comfortable beds, high ceilings, fun decor and are immaculately clean. All the staff we met were incredibly kind and the lobby was beautifully decorated. I love that they offer complimentary bike rentals but you can also walk everywhere since it’s right in the heart of Grand Forks.
1. Saturday Farmer’s Market (seasonal)
If you visit from mid June to end of September, you must check out the Saturday Farmer’s Market. There were so many incredible vendors selling baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, treats, crafts, delicious drinks and way more. Plus food trucks park right by the market so you can enjoy breakfast and lunch right on site. We enjoyed açaí bowls and tea from The Happy Camper Coffee Cart!
2. Check out the Food Scene
Grand Forks has so many incredible food and drink places! We had a hard time narrowing down where to dine and drink during our weekend and while we missed out on some classics (Red Pepper is on the list for next time!), we enjoyed so many wonderful spots like Harry’s Steakhouse and Ely’s Ivy.
Read about ALL the places we ate and drank here.
3. Try the famous Chippers
You can’t go to Grand Forks without trying the famous Chipper! Local candy shop Widman’s covers Red River Valley potato chips with delicious chocolate. So genius! There are many other types of candies at Widman’s as well so it’s definitely worth a visit.
4. Take a yoga class at Lotus Yoga
Lotus Yoga is a stunning boutique yoga studio and I’m so glad I attended one of their classes. Walking into the studio, I immediately felt calm. The teachers are welcoming and I left class feeling rejuvenated. They offer both hot and traditional yoga classes. Definitely one of the best things to do in Grand Forks!
5. Go Shopping at Local Boutiques
Grand Forks has many beautiful local boutiques that are really fun to shop at. The Silo Boutique and Pretty B were two of my favorites with fun clothing and other curated goods.
6. Grab a cup of coffee at a local coffeeshop
Grand Forks has an incredible coffee scene and we checked out some of the best spots in town. From The Ember Coffeehouse, which has an incredible mission and is run by volunteers (read more about their story here), to The Urban Stampede, located in a beautiful historic building. We also enjoyed The Happy Camper Coffee Cart.
7. Visit the North Dakota Museum of Art
On the University of North Dakota’s campus is the North Dakota Museum of Art. Free to enter, the museum has beautiful and unique exhibits to check out. You can support the museum with a donation or by visiting the gift shop which is curated with locally produced crafts and goods. They also put on fun events throughout the year like concerts in the gallery.
8. Enjoy the local brewery
If you enjoy craft brews, Half Brothers Brewing Co. should be on your list of things to do in Grand Forks. With both indoor and outdoor (in the summer) seating, you can enjoy local brews, play arcade games and for those that don’t drink, try a Fizzy Pop! soda.
9. Bike or Kayak along the scenic Greenway
The Greenway is a beautiful pathway in Grand Forks along the Red River and Red Lake River. It’s perfect for walking, biking, running or even for taking out a kayak. There are kayak rentals available.
Are you ready to plan a trip to Grand Forks? Did I miss any of your favorite things to do in Grand Forks?
We had the best weekend and can’t wait to go back!
For another amazing city to explore in North Dakota, check out Minot.
This article was sponsored by North Dakota Tourism. All opinions are my own.
